Lock for incandescent-lamp structures and the like.



Patented Feb. 27, 1917. Mya

nvenor naar ohren.

`JOSEPHSACI-1S, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSGNOR, BY MESNE SSGNMENTS,

T0 THE HART & HEGEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F HARTFORD, CONNEC- TICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT. v

LOCK FOR INCANDESGENT-LAMP STRUCTURES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent Ptttalihe'l FSlv. 27., lliilll.

Application filed February 24, l. Serial No. 759,137.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be itknown that l, .losnrrr SACHS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county or' Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks ior incandescentliamp Structures and the like, oi' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to locks rfor incansaid lamp or the like is furnished with a substantial catch portion so that it will properly cooperate with the locking or securing means of whatever character the same may be.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present speciiication l havel represented in detail some of the numerous forms of embodiment of the invention which to enable those skilled in the art to practise the same, will be fully set `forth in the ich lowing description. I do nbt limit myself to this disclosure; I may deviate therefrom in radical particulars Within the scopeof the invention definedv by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of an incandescent lamp and its socket provided with a lock involvingmy invention.

l? 2 and 3 are practically similar views illustrative, however, of different forms ot locks.'

Fig. i is a detail view of a latching and a locking band7 the latter being;` in section, and both being.)` those shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the latching and locking bands shown in lFig. 2.

Fig'. 6 is a view corresponding substantially with Fig. 4 of the latching and locking bands shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6...,

Fig. 8 is an elevation of a di'erent i'orm of' locking band in unset or uncompressed relation.

Fig. 9 is a like view oi the same pressedorset. i v I Fig. 10.is a top plan view ot' another term' of locking hand uncompressed or unset.

Lilie characters refer to like parte 'throughout the several views.

Lamp locking means involving my invention preferably comprise a latching hand and locking or sealing band of any suitabie material, suchas sheet metal, brass answer ing satisfactorily in this connection. These two members may vary radically as to structure, although l prefer for ease of 'assem- -blage that the latching band be split or di vided to facilitate its connection with either or both the lamp and its socket. While the locking or" sealing band might also be split or divided-.l prefer that the same be continuous or unbrolen.- There are many ways in which these two bands can be related to each other7 and there are many ways in which the latching band can be associated with the lamp and its socket; will describe several of each. It is essential that the shells of the lamp and socket be insulated from each other, and this result can he accomplished in several ways although as will hereinafter appear`r it is'advantageously secured f structure i' refer to both the lamp and its 1.

socket and the usual accessories by which they are operatively combined.

in Fig. l, the lamp is denoted by 9. and its socket by 23 both being oi standard construction althougrh a lamp hereinafter described, `is slightly ditlerent from those most frequently seen at the present time for which purpose i have devised e. catch portion of a novel construction, to cooperate therewith as will hereinafter appear.

The latching band or securing member shown in said Figs. l and 2 is desi nated by f1 and as already stated, it is nre erably plit or divided. This latching band ory securing member ordinarily (but not essentially) has separate catch portions which coact with catch portions on the lamp and socket and thesev several catch portions may be of any desirable kind. The neck of the lamp 2 is shown surrounded by the ring 5 preferably but not necessarily split; by employing a split ring, it can be very easily applied. This ring constitutes a suitable catch portion on thelamp while the annular bead (i or. the socket 3 presents a suitable catch portion thereon. Said ring 5 :is in this particular showing preferably of insulating material, such as fiber, and when in eonstricted relation,l its inner beveled edge engages over the. upper or outer edge of the base shell ol the lamp so as at such time to present in elect a fixed or rigid colla r on the lamp, and when the lock is set, to prevent the lamp from being unscrewed. The flanges 7 and S extending inwardly from the latching band 4 provide convenient catch means on said band for cooperation with the catch portions 5 and respectively. IVhen the latclung band 4 is contracted, for instance by applying a locking band, its anges 7 and 8 engage the ring 5 and bead G respectively. It will be apparent that if this relation be maintained, the lamp cannot be taken from its socket. y

To maintain the latching band 4 in lamp securing position I provide a second band as 9 which acts as a lock or sealing member for the companion band, said second or locking band being interlocked with the inner band, and this interlockingr condition can, be obtained in many different ways. When the locking band is set or is in locking relation, it can only be removed by slitting or cutting entirely through it; in other words the locking band is permanently locked in place, 'differing in this respect from latching bands which Aare locked by one motion and are released by reversing the locking motion. The locking band therefore must'be destroyed before it can be removed. Said locking band is originally in the`form of an unbroken cylinder, its inner diameter being greater than the maximum external diameter lof the latching band 4, which as` will be observed has two external beads 10 between which the locking or sealing bandais disposed when in active or locking position; as lwill be inferred the maximum diameter of the latching band is delined by these beads 10 so that the locking or sealing band can be readily slipped over the same into coincidence with the space between said beads. It will be assumed that the latching band 4 is in place and that the locking band in its original or cylindrical condition (preferably ,slightly corrugated) is around said latching band and opposite the space between the two beads 10. In this event it becolues necessary to set said locking band. This can be accomplished by circumferentially compressing said locking or sealing band, with the aid of a suitable tool, said locking band as shown being then more deeply corrugated or crimped into substantial, gripping engagement with the latching band so that before the locking band -in a locking band associated with a latching band such as that shown in said copending application or with any other that answers my purposes, and also in a novel form of catch to coact with the lalnps. The latching band 4 is applied and operates precisely like the latching band shown in my prior application; that is to say said band 4 is slightly opened so that its flanges 7 and 8 can be slipped over the ring 5 (already applied) to the lamp and'bead respectively after which the locking or sealing band 9 isv put in place in the manner already set forth.

In, an incandescent lamp structure eniploying a lock for the lamp, it is ordinarily essential that at least one of the parts, that is either' the lamp or its socket, have a catch portion engageable by a catch portion on a securing member which may be either a latching band or a locking band as I have termed them. In some cases the lamp can be Aprevented from wrongful removal from its socket by suitable locking means, acting in -part 1n conpmction with a catch portion on the lamp. In my own case, I have provided heretofore a catch portion 1u the form lll-5 of a ring of fiber to encircle the neck of the I lamp at the junction ofthe shell with the glass thereof. This rillg finds a'bearing against the inturned or inspun outer portion of the shell. A lamp base thus made presents an ample, adequate seat or shoulder for such a fibrous ring. Recently, however, there has been introduced a lamp having a form of base shell without this inturned upper end and the only seat for a catch ring, meager and scant as it is, is represented merely by the thickness of said shell. To meet this condition it has been necessary to devise a special form ofcatclh ring and I preferthat the same be of metal.A I prefer also that at least the inner marginal portion of this ring be thin `by which I mean :nameseshell and the glass of the lamp. ,It is conceivable that the remainder of this ring need not be of such thickness. For ease in manufacture the ring may be of the same or uniform thinness throughout its entirelo extent or merely beveled atits inner edge.

Another .important requisite is that the catch ring, when employed in connection with this new type of lamp, should be sprin'gy or resilient so that itcan inherently or by its l own action embrace or hug the neck of the lamp immediately next the neck of the lamp at outer edge of the base shell. in applying this ring ,it is opened to an extent sulicient to be freely passed over the upper edge ol 2O the shell, after which the ring automatic: lly

closes upon the glass of the lamp, to such an 'extent as to assure its firm bearing against .he shell. 'When the locking mechanism is .reed, in the' present case, by cutting through the locking band7 to obtain access to this catch ring, its terminals can with the aid of a suitable tool or even directly by hand, be spread or separated, to enlargeorexpand the catch ring suiiciently to eii'ect its removal.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 5, the lamp is designated by 12 and its' socket by 13. The base shell of this'lamp is unlike that shown in Fig. 1, said lamp 12 being provided with atype of catch ring aslJi here-v inafter more fully set forth, primarily to conform to this kind of shell. The catch onthe socket is denoted by 15, and before consists of the customary bead present on 10 certain existing types of standard sockets.

1t will be perceived on referencey to Fig. 1 that the upper portion of the base shell oi the lamp 2 is provided with a` rounded or inturned portionwiich provides an ample bearing for a fibrous catch ring as The shell of the lamp 12, however, has no such ample surface, the only bearing oiercd being defined by the thickness of the shell so that it is not possible within practicable limits to provide a fiber catch ring to coperate therewith. ATo coact with this particular form of shell I provide a metal-catch ring as 14, which is comparatively thin but yet strong enough to withstand the strain 5 of a pull on any attempt to wrongfully withdraw said lamp from its socket. This ring 14- is preferablv split and is passed along the base shell of said lamp 1Q and over the upper edge thereof when it automatie cally closes into'firin engagement with the neck of the lamp and fits against said upper ed e.

t aid ring 1a is preierabiY insulated from the latching band 1li and this eiiect can be 55 secured in a great many different-ways, for

instance b v setting said metal ring 14 with in the ring 17 of insulating material, said ring 17 Abeing provided with an inwardly disposed annular flange 18 against which the metal ring 1l lits, said flange 18 in turn bearing'against the catch liange 19 of Saild latchingr band 1G, said latching band having a second and practically duplicate catch liange 19 to coperate with the bead 15. The latching band 1G is applied almost actlylike and in func-tion is a duplicate of the latching band l; in fact the main difference in construction between the two forms of bands is that the band 4Y is externally beaded while the band 16 is not. lt will be clear that before the lamp 12 is inserted in 'its socket 13, the ring 1l is put on after which the latching band 16 will he applied. 'lhe insulating ringr 17 may initially lic inserted in the latching band 16 or the ring l-l can be first introduced into the ring 177 which latter may be continuous or split these points being immaterial, the essential thing in view in this particular form olf lamp being to provide catch means which will act properly in conjunction with the base shell thereof and which when or' metal must be so insulated as to break electrical continuity between the socket and lamp shell the ring 17 being one of several such ways. The same result could be secured by Iinteriorly lining said band 16 with some insulating substance throughout its entire extent' or only at that part thereof which comes in contact with the metal ring 14 or its equivalent.

The locking band 2O has preferably a positive or direct interlocked connection with the latching band 16, for example by a.v tongue Aor projection on one to enter a slot or open? ing in the other. l prefer that the tongue be upon the locking or sealing band 20 and I illustrate two of such tongues; thc same being denoted by 21 and heilig diametrically opposite each other. Initially these tongues are outside the inner surface of said locking band 20, the inner diameter of which is a trifle larger than the external diameter of the latching band 1G which like the one already described is split or divided, and by reason of this construction, the band 20 canl be slipped over the complemental band 15 although the fit is close. locking or holding tongues 21 are made as slots in the inner band 1G, means beingprovided to guide the locking or ksealing hand The seats 'for the so that the locking tongues will be positioned in proper relation to the receiving slots 22 respectively therefor. The guiding means tor this purpose may vary decidedly although those shown and now to be described meet thc necessary requirements. llpon the exterior of the latching band 1G is a bead or ridge Q3 to enter a channel or groove Q4 in the interior ofthe locking band, which centers the two bands or guides them BEST AVAILABLE ooe relatively in such manner that when a certain degree ot' said relative movement has heen accomplished the tongues '2l will he brought exactly opposite their' receiving slots 2'. at which time said tongues will be pushed into said slots to thus lock the band )H permanenti)v against withdrawal. It is therefore necessary het'ore said band '20 can he taken oli that it be snipped through.

tet'erring now to Figs, 2i, (S and 7. The lamp shown in Fig. f3 is denoted by l5 and its socket by 26. the catch portion of said lamp being' designated vb v 27 and consisting of a ring practically like the ring l-l already described and provided with a ring 2S ot' insulating' material. as fiber. molded around the outer marginal portion otl said ring '2T which like the ring l-l engages above the upper edge of the hase shell ot said lamp 25. the insulating portion or ring of said catch member 27 being directly cngageable by a catch as the flange 2*.) on the. locking band :30 which encircles the latching band 3]. which in this form ot the invention. cooperates directly with only one ot' the elements ot` the lamp structure7 riz.. the socket, said band for such purpose having an inturned annular tlange or catch port-ion S2 to engage below the catch portion or standard bead ot the socket 26. lt will be evident that when I use the term incandescent lamp -structure. l Amean to include both the lamp and its socket.. The locking or sealing band ."al in addition to serving the functions ot' the locking or sealing bands already described also acts as a latching hand or partakes ot some of the functions ot the same. as in addition to locking or .scaling the latching band ill it also catchesl on the lamp. lt will be clear that the arrangement shown in said Fig. Il might he reversed. that is the locking :unl latching band might cooperate directly with the socket and the lati-hing band with the lamp. The two hands :lo and Ill can be interlockcd in Various` ways: t'or instance the latching band may have exteriorly thcrcot `several tongues :lil automatically proicctahle (owing to their resiliency) into seats or recesses 34 formed in thel locking band 30. vWhen the tongues come opposite the seats 24-, the spring tongues spring of themselves into their respective seats Bl. it being understood that prior to thisoperation the band 30Q is slipped over the band ill and the two relatively nioved toward each other until the interlock between them is eiliccted. Before the lamp 25 can be removed it will be necessary to snip through the. locking and sealing band 3() and to facilitate this operation the flange "19 and body ot' said band may be sotted as at 35. 'lhe cutting implement., will be inserted in this slot when it is necessary to .sever the band SO.

ln ligs. S and 9 irepresent another Jform ot' locking band, denoted by 3G. This band is initially cylindrical and it may be used in connection with any of the latching bands already described. It will be Supposed that it is to be em loyed in conjunction with the latching band) 4. In this case, the internal diameter ot' the band 36 is greater than the external diameter of said latchingr band i at the beaded portions so that the said locking band 36 can be slipped,over the latching hand -L and then compressively secured in locked relation. To facilitate the compres- `sion ot' said locking hand 3G. the same mav ha ve in its opposite edges the notches 3T and the elongated body slot 37: A\fter the band :5o has heen brought coincident with the chanel between the beads 10, it will be compressed in the space between said beads. its diameter heing thereby reduced in coliseiplence of which said band 3G will be constrictirely or distortively interlocked with the latching band` its diameter during such procedure being reduced. In Fig. 9 the hand 36 is shown' in its distorted or set condition.

ln Fig. 10 the locking or sealing band 3S is shown provided with an outwardly-extendingl lug or ear 39 integral therewith and ot hollow construction of substantially U- shape in cross section. By compressing the Ahollow lng 39 the band 3S can be distortively interlocked with a latching band and` can he removed only by destroying the same,

t'or example by cutting entirely through said l baud 3S. Y

l have thus t'ar described a lock which when in operative relation engages directly with the parts to be locked together or held against separation. lt will be clear that my invention may he. also embodied in a lock serving the same purpose, in which only one ot' the parts to he held against separation,'is directly engaged while the other part is so embraced or surrounded that it cannot be removed from the combined structure so long as the lock is intact. Said embodiment would he a lamp-guard in which the guard in whole or in part forms one of the memhers oi my lock and is provided with a complemcntal member which may be the locking or sealing member and which would hare to be. in order to be unlocked. destroyed to permit ot the unlocking of the complete lock and the separation of the parts of the structure.

that l claim is:

l. lamp lock comprising a securing band and a locking band` one of which incloses the other. the two bands beiug'distortibly intcrlockcd.

i2. lamp lock comprising a securing hand and a locking band. one of which incloses the other. the two parts being distortibly inter-locked which constitutes the sole means Vfor holding them in assembled relation.

3. Alamp lock comprising a securing band and a locking band, one of which incloses the other, the two parts being distortibly inl terlocked, and asplit catch ring inclosed by 6. A lamp lock comprising a securing band and a locking band surrounding the securing bend, the two being locked together by the compression of the stock of one of-them.

7. A lump lock comprising a securing band and a locking band, one of which incloses the other, the two parts being distortibly interlocked, and means inciosed by one of the bands for insulating the same from the base shell of an incandescent lamp.

In testimony whereof I utix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. JOSEPH SACHS. Witnesses: i

HEATH Su'rnxcm\'xn, JAMES H. KEANE. 

